We'll start with outdoor opera. When was the last time we told you about watching world-class opera for free? We can't remember either. So, head to Trafalgar Square or Canary Wharf on Thursday and enjoy Verdi's Don Carlo free from 6pm on the big screens.

There's more outdoors fun to be had on the south bank from Friday, as Watch This Space, the National Theatre's summer festival kicks off. There are over 200 free events (theatre, music, cabaret, dance, film, circus and installations) taking place on Theatre Square in front of Denys Lasdun’s iconic building. It's going to be great.

If dance is more your thing, then you're in luck this week. Big Dance, a national week-and-a-day-long celebration of dance pirouettes into town on Saturday. The whole festival is all about encouraging participation, so don't be surprised if you get dragged into joining in a free dance class somewhere along the way.

If you'd rather watch than do, check out Sara Baras's flamboyant flamenco show Sabores at Sadler's Wells from today. If this weather continues, you'll surely be in the mood for some hot, passionate Spanish footwork.

Local Festival News:

Lest we forget about the regions in our overwhelming update, here's the local festival news. The Hornsey Carnival winds its way around Ally Pally on Saturday. Respect Festival kicks off in Brent on Sunday: four zones of non-stop music, dance and theatre from around the world. And the Hackney Empire Spice Festival continues this week with Empire Strikes Black 5.

Last Chance:

Child-prodigy Polly Stenham's That Face closes at the Duke of York's on Saturday. Masterpiece or piece of overblown student drama? You decide. Finally, Lates continues until Friday. Our pick for this week is American Late at the British Museum on 4 July (of course). Join in the lindy-hopping, watch the basketball demo, and taste American beer to the sounds of live jazz. Yee haw!

Image shows Watch This Space at the National Theatre from beatnic's photostream under Creative Commons licence.